Everything you need to know before you upgrade your jeans game for the new season

The Essential: Lee for J. Crew 101 B's

The Essential: Lee for J. Crew 101 B's

Shopping for jeans used to be easy. They were blue or black (mostly). They had five pockets (always). And they fit the way jeans were supposed to fit (which is to say they either fit or they didn't, and that was more or less that). Now, today, in 2012, it is not easy to shop for jeans. At all. There are so many choices involved (color, cuts, finishes, etc.) that anyone who just wants to buy a pair of jeans — a normal pair of jeans — can be driven to confusion or, worse, track pants. J. Crew men's-wear designer Frank Muytjens knows the frustration, and for spring, he's partnered with Lee, a pioneer of American denim, to reimagine Lee's classic 101 B's. The new 101 B's are straight leg, medium rise, and made from rinsed Japanese selvage denim, and they have the same no-frills details as Lee's original 101 B's from 1924. If you're looking for something more specific in the way of fit, finishing, or wash, we've got you covered on the following pages. But if you're only after a pair of classic, well-cut jeans, look no further.

Question One: How Should They Fit?

Question One: How Should They Fit?

Because the fit determines how they feel. How they feel determines how you look. And how you look is what good jeans are all about. Choose the fit accordingly.

Slim Fit

Slim. Not skinny. Anything skinny and you're in jeggings territory. Instead, slim-fit jeans should slightly hug the thighs, knees, and calves while loosening up around your ankles. The presence of fabric against your calf might take getting used to, but how they look — crisp, sharp, clean — makes it worth it.